Automatic can opener



5 Sheets-Sheet l G. W. RAGAN AUTOMATIC CAN OPENER March 15, 1955 Filed April 20, 1955 INVENTOR. 'eary M/aya7z- BY lf March 15, 1955 G, W, RAGAN 2,703,926

AUTOMATIC CAN OPENER Filed April 20, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 WI- l NVENTOR. /wye /Pa i471 BY MM March 15, 1955 G. w. RAGAN 2,703,926

AUTOMATIC CAN OPENER Filed April 20, 1955 5 Sheets-SheetI 3 March l5, 1955 G. w. RAGAN 2,703,926

AUTOMATIC CAN OPENER Filed April 2o, 195s 5 sheets-sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

March 15, 1955 G. w. RAGAN AUTOMATIC CAN OPENER Filed April 2o, 195s 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 w% a, 3 Ne@ kl .Wk 4 NK R m NMR.

)1s/VENTO@ @Aeorye /4/ @aya/z BY my@ @tty United States Patent O AUTOMATIC CAN OPENER George W. Ragan, Spokane, Wash., assignor to Clarence L. Smith, Harrington, Wash., as trustee Application April 20, 1953, Serial No. 349,855

7 Claims. Cl. 30-4) My invention relates to improvements in an automatic can opener.

It is the principal purpose of my invention to provide a device for puncturing the end of a can containing a liquid, wherein the entire operation of puncturing the can is accomplished by the operator merely pushing the can into a receptacle which acts as a shield to prevent the operator from getting his hand in the way of the punch. The pushing of the can into the receptacle moves a plunger sufficiently to close a switch to energize an electro-magnet that in turn drives the punch or punches through an end wall of the can. It is also a purpose of my invention to provide a device of this character in which the downward movement of the punch to puncture the can actuates a trip mechanism to release the switch closing means so that the electro-magnet is de-energized to allow the punch to raise without any withdrawal movement of the plunger or can. My invention is particularly useful in beverage dispensing establishments such as restaurants, taverns, etc. where the beverages are packaged in individual tin cans. In order to drain these beverage cans, it is desirable to punch two holes in one end of the can, one hole being a relatively large one. At present in most of such establishments, the cans are opened with a hand operated tool, the tool being sharp enough to open the can is also sharp enough to injure th-e individual using it. Furthermore, the manual effort required to open the several hundred cans which may be used in a busy tavern for example, becomes quite burdensome. The manual opening is also a slow process and limits the rate at which an individual can serve customers. With my invention, the individual can open the beverage cans with the use of only one hand and the opening is almost instantaneous. The cans can be opened as fast as they can be placed in and removed from the receptacle.

The nature and advantages of my invention will appear more fully from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the invention is shown. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and description are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the invention except insofar as it is limited by the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of my automatic can opener with certain parts broken away to better illustrate the construction;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the can opener with the cover removed and with a portion of the can receptacle broken away;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an end view looking at Figure 1 substantially on the line 5 5, but with the cover removed;

Figure 6 is a side view of a modified form of the invention; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the parts in changed position.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, my improved automatic can opener comprises a supporting base 10, which may be of any suitable material such as wood or composition board, with a pad 11 of yielding material such as real or synthetic rubber, to rest upon a counter or bar. The base supports a framework 12 which includes two side frames 13 and 14, two rear uprights 15 2,703,926 Patented Mar. 15, 1955 ICC and 16, and an inverted yoke 17. An electro-magnet 18 is supported on the side frames 13 and 14 by cross frame members 19 and 20.

'Ihe upright frame members 15 and 16 pivotally mount a lever arm 21 which extends forwardly over the electromagnet 18 and beyond the electro-magnet. The lever arm 21 carries two punches 22 and 23. The lever arm 21 also carries an armature 24 which is positioned directly over the electro-magnet 18 to be attracted thereby when the electro-magnet 18 is energized. A pivot pin 25 pivots a U-shaped member 26 to the lever arm 21 and a second pivot member 27 pivotally connects two side plates 28 and 29 of the armature 24 to the U-shaped member 26. A second U-shaped member 30 is mounted within the U-shaped member 26. This member preferably is of spring material and has feet 31 and 32 that press on the armature 24.

The U-shaped member 26 and the parts secured thereto are suspended from the yoke 17 by a bolt 33 and springs 34 and 35. The bolt 33 and the springs 34 and 35 permit the lever 21 to be drawn down by attraction of the armature 24 to the electro-magnet 18. As soon as the electro-magnet 18 is deenergized, the springs 34 and 35 will lift the lever arm 21 and the armature 24 away from the electro-magnet 18.

The upright members 15 and 16 carry a switch 36 for controlling the supply of current to the coil 18a of the electro-magnet 18. The details of this switch are well known and therefore are not illustrated herein. The switch is of the normally open type and has a stem 37 which must be pushed in to close the switch contacts.

The switch lever 38 is pivoted on a bracket 39 that is secured to the casing of the switch 36. A spring 40 on the stem 37 normally holds the switch lever 38 in the open switch position.

The front ends of the frame members 13 and 14 slidably mount a can receptacle 41 which serves to receive and support a can while it is being opened. This receptacle 41 is so constructed as to protect th-e hands of the operator so that he cannot get his hand in the way of the punches 22 and 23. The receptacle 41 has a hood portion 42 which encloses the free end of the lever arm 21 and the punches when they are in raised position. The hood portion 42 is open toward the back for the lever arm and punches to enter. Below the hood 42, the receptacle 41 has a slot 43 in the top thereof to permit downward movement of the punches 22 and 23 to engage a can 44 in the receptacle 41.

The receptacle 41 is open toward the front from the lower edge of the hood 42 downward. The side walls of the receptacle 41 have bowed out portions 45 and 46 to clear the ngers of the operator when he is inserting a can into the open front face of the receptacle 41. The back wall 47 and the bottom wall 48 of the receptacle 41 are covered with a resilient pad 49. The pad 49 is protected over the bottom 48 by a metal sheet 50. The bottom 48 and the sheet 50 extend forwardly and downwardly in front of the machine so as to drain olf any liquid that may escape from the can when it is opened. The entire receptacle 41 is free for removal from the frame members 13 and 14 so that it can be taken out and cleaned frequently so as to be kept in a sanitary condition. When the receptacle 41 is removed, the punches 22 and 23 are also readily accessible for cleaning.

The details of the mechanism by which the electromagnet 18 is energized and de-energized are illustrated best by Figures 2 and 3. Two plunger rods 51 and 52 have their rear ends extending through the cross frame member 19 and pass through two guides at 53 and 54 which are provided on the cross frame member 20 just beneath the coil 18a. These plunger rods 51 and 52 have heads 55 and 56 which are engaged by the back wall 47 of the housing 41. Springs 57 and 58 are interposed between the heads of the plunger rods and the members 53 and 54 so as to urge the plunger rods to the right as shown in Figure 2. When the can 44 is inserted into the receptacle 41, the operator pushes the receptacle 41 to- Ward the armature 18 against the yielding pressure of the springs 57 and 58.

A switch actuating member 59 is slidably mounted on bolts 60 and 61 that are secured to the cross frame members 19 and 20. The rear end of the member 59 engages a depending arm 38a of the switch lever 38 and the front end of the member 59 engages a cross piece 62 that is fixed to the bottom of the receptacle 41. The member 59 can move up and down on the bolt 61 but is yieldingly urged upward by a spring 63. If the right hand end of the member 59 is pushed down below the cross bar 62, a spring 64 which is under tension between a slot 65 on the member S9 and a washer 66 on the bolt 61, will urge the member 59 to the right.

Normally the parts are in the position shown in Figure l of the drawings. When a can is inserted in the receptacle 41 and the receptacle 41 is pushed toward the left against the plunger rods 51 and 52, the member 59 will be moved toward the left to operate the switch lever 38 and cause it to close the switch 36. When the switch 36 is closed to energize the electro-magnet 18 by passing current through its coil 18a, the armature 24 is attracted downward. This action drives the punches 22 and 23 sharply downward to puncture the can 44. At the same time the lever arm 21 moves down and strikes shoulders 67 on a member 68 which has its lower end engaging the top surface of the member 59. This moves the member 68 down to depress the right hand end of the member 59 below the cross bar 62. As soon as the member 59 clears the cross bar 62, the Spring 64 moves the member 59 to the right and this allows the switch lever 38 to return to normal position, opening the switch 36 and de-energizing the electro-magnet 18. The springs 34 and 35 will then lift the lever arm 21, the punches 22 and 23 and the armature 24. The operator then removes the can 44 and as soon as he does so the plunger rods 51 and 52 push the receptacle 41 outward so that the right hand end of the member 59 can rise again into position to engage the cross bar 62.

The modification shown in Figures 6 and 7 utilizes a construction wherein the punch elements and the can receiving parts are beneath the electro-magnet which supplies the motive power to the punch. In the modification a base 70 supports a plurality of posts 71 on which a plate 72 is mounted. The plate 72 supports an electro-magnet 73. An armature 74 is mounted to extend into the coil 73a of the electro-magnet 73 and to be attracted downward when the electro-magnet 73 is energized. A cross bar 75 at the top of the armature 74 carries two guide rods 76 and 77 which extend down through the plate 72. Coiled springs 78 and 79 are mounted on the rods 76 and 77 between the cross bar 75 and the plate 72 to raise the armature 74 when the electro-magnet is de-energized. The cross bar 75 at the top of the armature 74 carries two guide rods 76 and 77 which extend down through the plate 72. Coiled springs 78 and 79 are mounted on the rods 76 and 77 between the cross bar 75 and the plate 72 to raise the armature 74 when the electro-magnet is de-energized.

A punch supporting bar 80 is fixed to the lower ends of the rods 76 and 77. This bar carries two punches 81 and 82 which are similar to the punches 22 and 23. The punches 81 and 82 are mounted directly over a can receiving framework 83 which is constructed to slidably receive a receptacle 84 which is constructed like the portion of the receptacle 41 below the hood 42.

The framework 83 mounts a plunger rod 85 which projects rearwardly from the framework 83 to engage a switch actuating member 86. The member 86 is pivoted at its lower end on a bar 87 which in turn is pivoted to the framework 83. A coiled spring 88 has one end secured to the member 86 and extends upwardly and toward the framework 83. The upper end of the spring 88 is secured to the framework 83 with the spring 88 under tension so as to urge the member 86 upwardly and toward the framework 83. The member 86 has a plunger stop 89 thereon normally positioned to be engaged by the plunger rod 85 when it is pressed rearwardly by inserting a can in the receptacle 84.

The upper portion of the member 86 extends up through an aperture 72a in the plate 72 and in front of a spring arm 90 on a switch 91. The arm 90 normally stands clear of a push button 92 of the switch 91 but can be pushed against the button 92 to close the switch 91. The switch 91 controls the current supply to the electro-magnet 73. A cross piece 93 on the member 86 limits its upward movement by engaging the plate 72. The cross bar 75 has an adjustable pin 94 that is adapted to engage the top end of the member 86, as the armature 74 approaches the lower limit of its travel, to move the member 86 down. The downward movement of the member 86 lowers the stop 89 below the plunger rod 85. When the stop 89 clears the rod 85, the punches 81 and 82 have already perforated a can held beneath them. As soon as the stop 89 clears the rod 85, the spring 88 and the spring arm move the member 86 away from the switch button 92. The switch then opens to deenergize the electro-magnet and the springs 78 and 79 lift the armature 74 and the punch bar 80. This clears the machine so it will punch another can as soon as the operator removes the punched can and inserts another and pushes the plunger rod 85 against the stop 89.

The receptacle 84 and a housing 9S protect the operator by making it virtually impossible for him to get his hand between a can and the punch. Cans may be punched without using the receptacle 84 with this modification. Any beverage spilled is well below all the electrical equipment.

It is believed that the nature and advantages of my invention will be clear from the foregoing description. Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. A power driven can opener comprising in combination a supporting framework, an electro-magnet thereon, a lever arm pivoted to said framework and having a punch carrying portion above and beyond the electro-magnet, said portion having a depending punch thereon, an armature supported by said arm in position to be attracted downward by the electro-magnet upon energization of the electro-magnet thereby to lower the punch, means on the frame for lifting the lever and armature to said position when the armature is released by de-energizing the electro-magnet, a can supporting shield movably mounted on said framework beneath the punch carrying portion of said lever arm for movement toward and away from the electro-magnet, said shield having an opening in its rear wall to receive the lever arm, a normally open switch for connecting said electro-magnet to a source of current, a switch closing lever, and a member, extending from the switch closing lever to said shield, operable to move the switch closing lever to switch closing position upon movement of the shield toward the electro-magnet.

2. A power driven can opener comprising in combination a supporting framework, an electro-magnet thereon, a lever arm pivoted to said framework and having a punch carrying portion above and beyond the electro-magnet, said portion having a depending punch thereon, an armature supported by said arm in position to be attracted downward by the electro-magnet upon energization of the electro-magnet thereby to lower the punch, means on the frame for lifting the lever and armature to said position when the armature is released for de-energizing the electro-magnet, a can supporting shield movably mounted on said framework beneath the punch carrying portion of said lever arm for movement toward and away from the electro-magnet, said shield having an opening in its rear wall to receive the lever arm, a normally open switch for connecting said electro-magnet to a source of current, a switch closing lever, a member, extending from the switch closing lever to said shield, operable to move the switch closing lever to switch closing position upon movement of the shield toward the electro-magnet, means actuated by the lowering of the lever arm to release the member from the shield, and means yieldingly urging the member and switch closing lever to their open switch positions.

3. A power driven can opener comprising a supporting framework having an upright portion at one end, a lever arm pivoted on the said portion of the framework, a punch on said lever arm, a can supporting shield having an upper front wall, a top wall, side walls, a rear wall and a bottom wall, the shield being open below said upper front wall to receive a can, said shield being slidably mounted on the framework to move toward and away from the upright portion, said shield having an opening in its rear wall through which the lever arm and punch extend to engage a can seated on the bottom wall of the shield, power means to lower the lever arm and punch, and means operable by movement of the shield toward the upright portion for actuating said power means.

4. A power driven can opener comprising a supporting framework having an upright portion at one end, a lever arm pivoted on the said portion of the framework, a punch on said lever arm, a can supporting shield having an upper front wall, a top wall, side walls, a rear wall and a bottom wall, the shield being open below said upper front wall to receive a can, said shield being slidably mounted on the framework to move toward and away from the upright portion, said shield having an opening in its rear wall through which the lever arm and punch extend to engage a can seated on the bottom wall of the shield, power means to lower the lever arm and punch upon a can seated in said shield, spring means on the framework operable to lift the lever arm and punch away from the can when it s released by said power means, means on the framework operable by movementof the shield toward the upright portion of the framework for energizing the power means, and means on the framework operable by lowering of the lever arm for de-energizing the power means.

5. A power driven can opener comprising a supporting framework having an upright portion at one end, a lever arm pivoted on the said portion of the framework, a punch on said lever arm, a can support on said framework for holding a can beneath the punch, power means to lower the lever arm and drive the punch into a can seated on said support, spring means on the framework connected to said lever arm to lift the punch clear of a can on the support when the power means is released, and means in the path of said lever arm operable upon lowering of the lever arm for releasing the power means.

6. A power driven can opener comprising a supporting framework, a punch support mounted for up and down movement on said framework, a can punch on said support, guide means on said framework to receive a beverage can and support it beneath the punch, an electromagnet on said framework, an armature for said electromagnet positioned to be attracted downward by the electro-magnet when the electro-magnet is energized, the armature being connected to the punch support, spring means on the framework connected to said punch support and armature to lift them when the electro-magnet is deenergized and means operable upon lowering of the punch support to deenergize the electro-magnet.

7. A power driven can opener comprising a supporting framework, a punch support mounted for up and down movement on said framework, a can punch on said support, a guide means on said framework to receive a beverage can and support it beneath the punch, power means on said framework to lower the punch support and drive the punch into a can seated in said guide means, spring means on said framework connected to said punch support to lift the punch clear of the punched can when the power means is released, and means in the path of said punch support operable upon lowering of the punch support to release said power means.

No references cited. 

